Russia is preparing to send two amphibious assault ships to the Syrian port of Tartus

Russia is preparing to send two amphibious assault ships to the Syrian port of Tartus where Moscow operates a strategic naval base, the Interfax news agency reported on Monday.

"Two major amphibious ships -- The Nikolai Filchenkov and The Tsezar Kunikov -- are preparing to be dispatched to Tartus outside of their schedule," the Russian news agency quoted an unidentified officer from the Russian naval headquarters as saying. The two ships will carry a "large" group of marines, Interfax added.